Burglary protection in winter: Experts discuss preventative measures

Burglary protection in winter: Experts discuss preventative measures

Winter is just around the corner and with it the dark season begins. There are fears that there will be an increase in burglary crimes during this time. An information evening on the subject of burglary protection recently took place in Osnabrück, where experts and interested parties discussed effective protective measures. The evening was moderated by Michael Clasen and offered space for experts such as Daniela Behrens, Lower Saxony's Interior Minister, Barbara Richtstein, federal chairwoman of the Weißer Ring victim support association, and Marc Rheinfels, LKA prevention expert. Hermann Wenning, a former burglar, also shared his experiences to give participants a better understanding of how to protect themselves from break-ins. Interestingly, the event was free to attend, which attracted many interested people.

The current statistics show the alert: In 2023 there were 119,000 residential burglaries, which is the highest number since 2019. However, despite this increase, the number is more than 50% lower than in 2015, when 167,000 cases were recorded. The focus is particularly on urban areas such as Bremen, Berlin and Hamburg, as this is where the risk of burglary is highest. A look at the data shows that Mülheim an der Ruhr has the highest burglary rate with 283 cases per 100,000 inhabitants - Fürth, on the other hand, has the lowest with 33 cases.

Burglary protection: What can citizens do?

So what can citizens do to better protect themselves? Experts recommend a variety of measures. It's not just about robust locks or alarm systems, but also about simple behavior like securing windows and doors when you leave the house. Barbara Richtstein emphasized the importance of raising awareness among neighbors: "Community protection is often underestimated. A careful eye helps to identify suspicious activities early."

The clearance rate for residential burglaries is particularly alarming, which is only 14.9% in 2023 - compared to the overall rate for criminal offenses, which is 58.4%. This shows how important preventive measures are. The police reported that 9,890 suspects were identified last year, with the proportion of foreign suspects reaching a high of 42.9%. In Hamburg this proportion is even 65.6%.

Conclusion and outlook

With burglary crimes on the rise, it is essential that citizens take action to increase their security. Successful cooperation between police and civil society will be crucial to ensuring a safe living environment. Find out regularly about possible protective measures and take advantage of information events like the one in Osnabrück to find out more about effective protection against burglars. Only together can we minimize the risk and ensure a safe home.

In the meantime, attention remains focused on the upcoming Summer Olympics, which will take place in Paris from July 26 to August 11, 2024. The games promise not only sporting highlights, but also an opportunity for the nations to present themselves on the international stage. As the need for security increases, the fight for medals could also become more important.

You can find more information about break-ins and protective measures at NOZ. For a comprehensive overview of the Olympiad you can Wikipedia Visit and view current crime statistics Statista.